Personal video network

ABSTRACT

The invention is a personal wireless network that generally compnses at least a lightweight wireless client to send and receive audio and video from another system component. The personal wireless network also provides a wireless-enabled routing component, which stands alone to route traffic within the personal wireless network. Also provided is a transmitter component that connects to a computing device, such as a server and sends and receives data Furthermore, a software algorithm provides a method for supporting a personal wireless network.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of prior application Ser.No. 09/773,885 filed on Feb. 1, 2001, which claims priority from U.S.Patent application Ser. No. 60/212,203 entitled PERSONAL WIRELESSNETWORK by Fillebrown, et al., which was filed on Jun. 16, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Generally, the invention relates to computer networks and wirelessdevices, and, more particularly, the invention relates to wirelesscomputer networks. More specifically still, the invention relates towirelessly providing, through thin clients, access to softwareapplications executing on a server.

Statement of a Problem Addressed by this Invention

As the need for computer power has proliferated, many homes andbusinesses have implemented networks of computers. Computer networksfacilitate access to widely needed data, and provide common access tocomputer programs. In addition, computer networks provide the addedadvantage of reducing the licensing fees associated with purchasingmultiple copies of software.

Examples of computer networks include Local Area Networks (LANs) andWide Area Networks (WANs). A LANs provides common client access to atleast one computer server, and typically encompasses a single facility.Similarly, a WAN provides common computing access to clients byconnecting multiple networks (including LANs). A WAN is commonly used toconnect multiple facilities that are geographically diverse.

Generally, a LAN provides network access through at least one serverwhich is hardwire connected through twisted pair or coaxial cables usedto connect serial or parallel ports. Common types of LANs areimplemented via Ethernet or token-ring standards, and these standardsare implemented through servers running network software such as NovellNetwork or Windows NT Network software.

Commonly, a WAN may include one or more LANs, and also may includeremote servers which are connected through data cables known as trunklines that may be implemented as copper wires or fiberoptic cables.Unfortunately, LANs and WANs are limited in that hardwireport-connections are required to connect a client (typically, acomputer) with servers or to provide access to other networks.

Accordingly, the use of network components, such as client and servercomputers as well as network-enabled communications equipment, has poseda challenge because each network component has to be able to communicateacross the network. This requires, at a minimum, that each networkcomponent have the connect cable type and cable connection, the correctPC card type, and the correct software to perform even the simplesttasks. Then, the network component software must be integrated andoptimized with the network software. Fortunately, simple wirelessoptions for connecting devices and networks together are emerging.

One wireless option is to use infrared communication technology. Networkdevices that use infrared communications as a means for transmittingdata have enabled the cost effective integration of infrared componentsinto an array of devices. For example, some keyboards use infraredtechnology to enable a keyboard to communicate wirelessly with acomputer. This allows a user more flexibility in placing their keyboard.In addition, some laptops can communicate with a computer by using aninfrared port. As another example, some cellular telephones can useinfrared ports to transfer data to or from another similar cellularphone. Accordingly, today many computing devices and some cellulartelephones have infrared ports, and infrared technology is being toutedas an easy way to provide short range wireless connections betweendevices. However, there are some drawbacks in using infraredcommunications.

For example, infrared communications require the devices that arecommunicating to be within a “line of sight” of each other. In otherwords, the actual infrared ports of the devices must physically be ableto visually see each other without obstruction. Also, sunlight and someartificial light sources can cause interference (their light oftencontains light from the infrared spectrum).

To overcome these and other disadvantages associated with availablewireless data communications, many corporate leaders came together todevelop a short range wireless solution called Bluetooth. Bluetooth isimplemented as a standardized protocol for short-range datacommunication using unlicensed radio frequencies. Today, thousands ofcompanies are designing products that will utilize Bluetooth technology.

Bluetooth technology operates in a 2.4 GHz Industrial Scientific andMedical (ISM) band of the unlicensed radio spectrum. This portion of thespectrum was chosen because of its international availability and itsunrestricted use. Furthermore, Bluetooth transmissions do not require aline of sight to operate.

Another wireless LAN standard that is gaining popularity is the IEEE802.11 standard and its successors (known today as 802.11 b, etc.;hereinafter, all of the 802.11 standards are referred to collectively as“802.11” unless explicitly stated otherwise). In 802.11, there are twodifferent ways to configure a network: ad-hoc and infrastructure. In thead-hoc configuration, computers are brought together to form a network“on the fly.”

In the ad-hoc configuration of a wireless network, there is no structureto the wireless network, there are no fixed points, and usually everydevice in the network is able to communicate with every other device. Asan example, consider a meeting where employees bring laptop computerstogether to share information. Although it seems that order would bedifficult to maintain in this type of network, algorithms (such as thespokesman election algorithm (SEA)) have been designed to “elect” onelaptop (or other available device) as a base station (or “master”) ofthe network—the other laptops and local devices are then designated asslaves. Other algorithms in ad-hoc network architectures use a broadcastand flooding method establish who's who in the network.

In contract to the ad-hoc configuration, the infrastructure LAN networkconfiguration uses fixed network access points with which mobiledevices, such as laptops, can communicate. This configuration is similarto a cellular network. Network access points are sometime connected tolandlines to widen the LAN's capability by bridging wireless nodes toother wired nodes. As in cellular networks, if service areas overlap,handoffs can occur.

Despite the availability of wireless LAN protocols, there exist needsfor networks and for network components that allow a user to wirelesslyaccess software applications executing on a server, or to access dataneeded by multiple clients within a network. Furthermore, it would beadvantageous to provide network access through an inexpensive thinclient.

Selected Overview of Selected Embodiments

The present invention achieves technical advantages as systems, devices,methods, and software that implement a personal wireless network. Thepersonal wireless network generally comprises a lightweight wirelesstablet (that preferably provides a color touch-screen display), andincorporates wireless technology, such as Bluetooth or 802.11, to sendand receive audio and video from another system component.

The personal wireless network also provides a wireless-enabled routingcomponent, which stands alone to route data traffic within the personalwireless network (via the network's wireless protocols). In addition,the personal wireless network provides a transmitter component thatconnects to a computing device such as a server (or network-dedicateddevice), and processes wireless protocols in order to send and receivedata, audio, and video packets (via the network's choice wirelessprotocol). Hereinafter, the term “packet” is used to refer collectivelyto a data, audio, and video packet. Furthermore, software algorithmsprovide methods for supporting a personal wireless network through themanagement of the data networking and application management functionswithin a computer which functions as a server for the personal wirelessnetwork. Accordingly, a personal wireless network is provided that isinexpensive, scaleable, and flexible.

In one embodiment the invention is a personal wireless network. Thepersonal wireless network includes a wireless server, a wirelesstransmitter, and a wireless client capable of wireless communicationwith the wireless transmitter. More generally, the invention provides apersonal wireless network having a wireless serving means, a wirelesstransmission means, and a wireless client means capable of wirelesscommunication with the wireless transmission means.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a personal wirelesssystem. The system has a server subsystem, a transmitter subsystem, anda client subsystem.

Of course, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art.

To practice the invention, software embodiments of a method may beloaded onto a computing platform and then executed according to themethod. Furthermore, the invention may be embodied on a software medium,such as a CD ROM, or transmitted over the Internet as a data signal. Ofcourse, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the invention, as well as an embodiment, are betterunderstood by reference to the following EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BESTMODE. To better understand the invention, the EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF ABEST MODE should be read in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical personal wireless network;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one implementation of a wireless tablet;

FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram of a registration algorithm;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless router (the router);

FIG. 5 illustrates the functionality of the router as a routingalgorithm;

FIG. 6A illustrates a video display system for use in a personalwireless network

FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment of a tablet interaction algorithm;

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a wireless transmitter;

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a personal wireless networksoftware block;

FIG. 8B provides the process diagrams of a wireless server algorithm;and

FIG. 9 is a block flow diagram of a personal wireless network processingalgorithm.

AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE

A personal wireless network is provided that is inexpensive, scaleable,and flexible. The invention is a personal wireless network. The personalwireless network generally comprises a lightweight wireless thin client(or tablet), and incorporates wireless technology to send and receiveaudio and video from another system component. The personal wirelessnetwork also provides a wireless-enabled routing component, which standsalone to route data traffic. The personal wireless network also providesa transmitter component that connects to a computing device, such as aserver that sends and receives audio and video. Furthermore, softwarealgorithms provide methods for supporting a personal wireless networkthrough the management of the data networking and application managementfunctions.

When reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment of a Best Mode, whichdescribes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention,hereinafter “exemplary embodiment”), one should keep in mind severalpoints. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventorbelieves to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the timethis patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantiallyequivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used toachieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the sameresults In a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodimentshould not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.

Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the inventionare provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in theart may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a followingexemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure orsubstantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the sameresults in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results ina not dissimilar way.

Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokesthe genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well asrelated species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genusinvokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized thatas technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achievean aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are herebyincorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized asbeing functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspectshown or described.

Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified bythe claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts,functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not beinterpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described andidentified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should beinterpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act,unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that“tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning,riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling,gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, suchas “attaching”). Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctivewords (such as “or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example)should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth,the words “means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader'sunderstanding of the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” asdefined in §112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “meansfor-functioning-” or “step for-functioning-” in the Claims section.

Computer Systems as Software Platforms

A computer system (or, system) typically includes hardware capable ofexecuting machine-readable instructions, as well as the software forexecuting acts (typically machine-readable instructions) that produce adesired result. In addition, a computer system may include hybrids ofhardware and software, as well as computer sub-systems.

Hardware generally includes processor-capable platforms, such asclientmachines (also known as personal computers or servers), andhand-held processing devices (such as smart phones, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), or personal computing devices (peDs), for example.Furthermore, hardware typically includes any physical devices that arecapable of storing machinereadable instructions, such as memory or otherdata storage devices. Other forms of hardware include hardwaresub-systems, including transfer devices such as modems, modem cards,ports, and port cards, for example. The way hardware is organized withina system is known as the system's architecture (discussed below).

Software includes machine code stored in memory, such as RAM or ROM, ormachine code stored on devices (such as floppy disks, or a CD ROM, forexample). Software may include executable code, an operating system, orsource or object code, for example. In addition, software encompassesany set of instructions capable of being executed in a client machine orserver—and, in this form, is often called a program or executable code.

Programs often execute in portions of code at a time. These portions ofcode are sometimes called modules or code-segments. Often, but notalways, these code segments are identified by a particular function thatthey perform. For example, a counting module (or “counting codesegment”) may monitor the value of a variable. Furthermore, theexecution of a code segment or module is sometimes called an act.Accordingly, software may be used to perform a method which comprisesacts. In the present discussion, sometimes acts are referred to as stepsto help the reader more completely understand the exemplary embodiment.

Software also includes description code. Description code specifiesvariable values and uses these values to define attributes for adisplay, such as the placement and color of an item on a displayed page.For example, the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the software usedto enable the Internet and is a description software language.

Hybrids (combinations of software and hardware) are becoming more commonas devices for providing enhanced functionality and performance tocomputer systems. A hybrid is created when traditionally softwarefunctions are directly manufactured into a silicon chip—this is possiblesince software may be assembled and compiled into ones and zeros, and,similarly, ones and zeros can be represented directly in silicon.Typically, the hybrid (manufactured hardware) functions are designed tooperate seamlessly with software. Accordingly, it should be understoodthat hybrids and other combinations of hardware and software are alsoincluded within the definition of a computer system and are thusenvisioned by the invention as possible equivalent structures andequivalent methods.

Computer sub-systems are combinations of hardware or software (orhybrids) that perform some specific task. For example, one computersub-system is a soundcard. A soundcard provides hardware connections,memory, and hardware devices for enabling sounds to be produced andrecorded by a computer system. Likewise, a soundcard may also includesoftware needed to enable a computer system to “see” the soundcard,recognize the soundcard, and drive the soundcard.

Sometimes the methods of the invention may be practiced by placing theinvention on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable mediumsinclude passive data storage, such as a random access memory (RAM) aswell as semi-permanent data storage such as a compact disk read onlymemory (CD-ROM). In addition, the invention may be embodied in the RAMof a computer and effectively transform a standard computer into a newspecific computing machine.

Data structures are defined organizations of data and enable anembodiment of the invention. For example, a data structure may providean organization of data, or an organization of executable code(executable software). Furthermore, data signals are carried acrosstransmission mediums and store and transport various data structures,and, thus, may be used to transport the invention. It should be noted inthe following discussion that acts with like names are performed in likemanners, unless otherwise stated.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical personal wireless network 100. Generally,in the personal wireless network 100, a plurality of wireless clients,such as wireless tablets and wireless smart appliances communicate via awireless routing means, such as a wireless router 120, with a wirelessserver 140, sometimes through a wireless transceiving means 130.Communication standards in the personal wireless network 100 arepreferably broadcastable wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth, IEEE802.11, Home RF, or other wireless protocols.

For the personal wireless network 100, preferably a wireless protocolimplemented at 2.4 GHz. Of course, other wireless protocols can beimplemented and other communication frequencies may be used as well.Furthermore, multiple wireless protocols and communication frequenciesmay coexist within a personal wireless network.

Wireless protocols typically transmit information by packetizinginformation. Packetizing information involves organizing informationinto units known as packets. Packets may be grouped according to packetswhich carry pure data (true “data packets”), packets which carry video(sometimes called “video packets”), and packets which carry pure audio(sometimes called “audio packets”). Hereinafter, the term “packet” willbe used to refer to all types of packetized information. Furthermore,hereinafter, a type-specific packet (such as a data-only packet) will becapitalized, such as with “Data packet” to emphasize that the packet isof a specific type.

Accordingly, a wireless protocol used to implement the present inventionwill preferably implement the wireless protocol through packeting.However, it should be understood that non-packetized information mightbe transmitted across a wireless network. For example, common UHFchannels may be used to transmit video and audio information within awireless network. Furthermore, as advances in wireless communicationtakes place, additional protocols and variations of existing protocolsmay be used to implement wireless communications within a personalwireless network.

Wireless client means include devices that a user may use to access afunction provided by a personal wireless network 100. For example, auser may choose to use a wireless client, such as a wireless tablet 110,to access a software application that is provided by the wireless server140.

Likewise, a user using the wireless tablet 110 may also communicatedirectly with another user using a wireless tablet 112, or another userusing a wireless tablet 114. The communications between the wirelesstablets 110, 112, and 114, may include both audio and visualcommunication. Similarly, a user using the wireless tablet 110 mayaccess wireless smart appliance specific applications associated withspecific wireless smart appliances.

A wireless smart appliance is an appliance or device that has a wirelessnetwork compatible processing system. Common appliances implemented aswireless smart appliances include radios, televisions, cable boxes,lights, alarms, ovens, washers, dryers, water faucets, heating oilpumps, and thermostats, for example. As a specific example, the userusing the wireless tablet 110 may access a wireless smart applianceimplemented as a microwave oven 116. Thus, the wireless tablet 110 mayallow a user to program a cooking time for the microwave oven 116remotely.

Furthermore, a user at the wireless tablet 110 may wish to program themicrowave oven 116 to cook popcorn at a time coinciding with thebeginning of a movie video being rented, or viewed within the personalwireless network 100 via the wireless server 140. Similarly, a user witha wireless tablet 110 may control a second wireless smart appliance,such as a radio 118, so that music may be heard through out or at anyspecific location in the facility maintaining the wireless tablet 110.

Of course, it should be understood that although wireless tablets areillustrated as specific embodiments of a wireless client, it should beunderstood that many other wireless client means may be utilized, and itshould be understood that a wireless client means is any device capableof wirelessly communicating within a personal wireless network and alsocapable of user interaction with other devices within the personalwireless network.

Information transmitted across the personal wireless network 100 throughwireless communication protocols is achieved preferably through awireless transceiving means, illustrated as the wireless transmitter130.

In one embodiment, the wireless transmitter 130 is connected via a cable132 with the wireless server 140. The cable 132 can be provided as aUniversal Synchronous Bus (USB) cable, a parallel cable, or aSplit-Bridge cable, for example.

Of course, it should be understood that although the wirelesstransmitter is illustrated as connected via a cable to the wirelessserver, it should be understood that any other means of connectionbetween the wireless transmitter and the wireless server may beutilized, and it should be understood that a wireless transmitter meansis any device capable of passing information between a wirelesstransmitter and a wireless server.

Accordingly, when operating “downstream” (when data, packets, orinformation flow from the wireless server 140 to a wireless client), thewireless transmitter 130 preferably receives a Video packet and/or Datapacket. The wireless transmitter 130 is also capable of transmittingpackets in the personal wireless network 100 so that a packet may bereceived by a wireless client means or a wireless routing means.

The personal wireless network 100 may extend its range for providingwireless communication by implementing a routing means, shown as awireless router 120 (or “router 120”). The wireless router 120 iscapable of receiving a packet, amplifying the packet, and broadcastingthe amplified packet so that the amplified packet may be received by awireless client means, another wireless router means, or a wirelesstransmitter means. Accordingly, communication channels utilized by thewireless router 120 are indicated in FIG. 1 by the bidirectional arrows122. It is also useful here to define the “upstream” pathway as the pathof data, packets, or information that flows from a wireless client tothe wireless server 140.

The wireless server 140 may be implemented as any personal computer,handheld device, Internet appliance, or other computing platform capableof executing software algorithms needed to enable the personal wirelessnetwork 100. Furthermore, the wireless server 140 may integrally includethe wireless transceiving means previously discussed.

In one embodiment, the wireless server 140 may form part of a Local AreaNetwork (LAN). Thus, the wireless server 140 is illustrated as beingconnected to a second computer 160 (which could be indicative of a LANserver) across a connection 144 that could be an Ethernet connection. Inaddition, the wireless server 140 may be connected to other networks aspart of a Wide Area Network (WAN), a satellite network, or othercommunication network. Furthermore, the wireless server 140 preferablyprovides a connection to the Internet 150, or a successor to theInternet 150 through an Internet connection 142. The Internet connection142 could be a hardwire Internet connection, such as a digitalsubscriber line (DSL—sometimes called an xDSL), or a wireless Internetconnection.

The personal wireless network 100 may be implemented as a home network.Accordingly, when implemented as a home network the personal wirelessnetwork 100 is used as a wireless extension of a personal computerwithin a home. Preferably, a home network implementation transmits videooutput through a wireless protocol link, such as a Bluetoothcommunication link or 802.11, to a wireless tablet. Accordingly, at thewireless tablet the user has access to all applications that couldexecute on a personal computer.

Thus, the wireless tablet could access wireless server 140 to providetelevision programming, the Internet, or e-books, for example.Furthermore, in a home network, wireless tablets may access otherwireless devices, particularly those wireless devices that have the samewireless protocol link. Other wireless devices include wirelessrepeaters, wireless infrared converters (such as remote controls).

One possible embodiment of the personal wireless network 100 integratestelephone technology into the personal wireless network. For example, aPrivate Branch Exchange (PBX) interface may be used to provide telephoneaccess to the personal wireless network 100. Thus, a user may haveaccess to his phone calls, and view the receiving caller-ID (CID) phonenumber when away from his desk by redirecting his personal phone numberto the wireless client. Such an implementation may provide for unifiedmessaging, and remote voice mail support.

A user typically accesses the personal wireless network 100 through awireless client, such as a wireless tablet. FIG. 2 illustrates a blockdiagram of one implementation of a wireless tablet 200. Within a housing205 of the wireless tablet 200, a processor 208 is used to interconnectand drive other components of the wireless tablet 200. Preferably, theprocessor 208 is a RISC processor, such as a ARM processor, or, morespecifically, an Arm 7 Thumb Processor, for example. Of course, otherprocessors can be implemented and used to interconnect and drive othercomponents of the wireless tablet 200. The processor 208 is chosenprimarily for size and power consumption rather than raw processingpower since the processor 208 needs only to provide adequate processingpower to accept data inputs, to compress data packets, to route the datapackets to a transceiver 240, to receive video and audio packets fromthe transceiver 240, and to decompress the data and produce video andaudio from the received packets.

Video packets received by the wireless tablet 200 carry video displayinformation which the processor 208 sends to a display 210. The display210 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a plasma display, or anyother light-weight and thin display. Preferably, the display 210 is acolor display. The display 210 may be complimented with a display driver215. The display driver 215 maintains the software needed to rapidlyconvert video packets into displayable video information. Furthermore,the display 210 may also provide touchscreen capabilities and preferablyimplements touchscreen capabilities through a touchscreen interface 220.The touchscreen interface 220 receives information indicating thelocation of the display 210 that a user touched. The informationindicating the location that the display 210 was touched is thentransferred to the processor 208. The processor 208 can use theinformation, and may convert this information into data indicative of apredefined user input.

Likewise, a mouse and/or keyboard may be used for data and locationinput. The information from either the mouse and/or keyboard istransferred to the processor 208. The processor 208 can use theinformation, and may convert this information into data indicative of apredefined user input. In addition to video information, the wirelesstablet 200 may also send and receive audio information. In receivingaudio information, the wireless tablet 200 will receive audio packetsand the processor 208 will send the packets to the codec 235. The codecconverts the Audio packets into data, and sends the data to speaker 250and speaker 252 to produce audible sound. Accordingly, two speakers 250,252, are shown so that stereo type audio may be provided by the wirelesstablet 200. In addition, audio sound may be input into the wirelesstablet 200 through a microphone 254, converted to data by the codec 235,sent to the processor 208 which converts the data into Audio packets. Inaddition, audio sound inputs may be received into the wireless tablet200 may be streamed as audio through wireless protocols or Ultra HighFrequency (UHF) transmissions. In addition, audio inputs and outputconnections may be provided for external microphones, and for externalspeakers. Such connections are illustrated in FIG. 2 as the block I/Ofor Audio Devices 265.

Data, audio, and video are sent and received from the wireless tablet200 through a transceiver 240 which receives the data, audio, and videopreferably via an internal antenna 245. Accordingly, the transceiver 240is preferably capable of sending and receiving information in aplurality of protocols. Furthermore, the internal antenna 245 may beexpandable and elongated such that it would protrude from the wirelesstablet 200. Preferably, the wireless transmitter employs a powerfulamplifier 242. Accordingly, the amplifier 242 is enabled to amplifysignals prior to the signal's transmission from the transceiver bank 240and antenna 245.The processor 208 is augmented through a memory device225. The memory 225 preferably provides both RAM and ROM so that theprocessor 208 may have access to a predefined set of start-upinstructions, as well as access to storage for programs that load ontothe wireless tablet 200. Programs may be loaded onto the wireless tablet200 (or copied from the wireless tablet 200) through wirelesstransmission or through a data input/output port 260. The memory 225 mayalso maintain software capable of producing an onscreen keyboard which aperson may use to key in information into the wireless tablet 200. Inaddition, the memory 225 may also store other software programs that areused by the wireless table, like a media player for playing MP3 files.

Software programs, external operating systems, data, audio recordings,movies, or other prerecorded information may be placed onto the wirelesstablet 200 through a memory device placed in the memory device port 230.The memory device port 230 is preferably a compact-flash port. However,it should be understood that the memory device port 230 may also be a PCcard port, a multi-media card port, or any other type of port capable ofproviding access to a transferable data storage device or data storagemedium. In addition, the data input/output port 260 may provideinput/output capabilities for hardware input/output devices such as akeyboard, digital camera, or diagnostic devices. Power is provided tothe wireless tablet 200 through a battery 280. The batter 280 ispreferably a lithium (Li) ion, or other rechargeable battery. However, apower cord connection 285 is provided so that a power cord may beconnected directly to the wireless tablet 200 so the battery 280 may berecharged. Furthermore, although no connections are shown from thebattery 280 to any of the components of the wireless tablet 200, itshould be understood that the battery 280 is connected in such a way asto provide appropriate power to each and every component of the wirelesstablet 200.

One of the more complicated processes implemented by the wireless tablet200 is the registration process whereby the wireless tablet 200registers with a personal wireless network. FIG. 3 is a process flowdiagram of a registration algorithm 300 according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

First, upon connection between the wireless tablet 200 and the wirelessserver, a network login should be established. This network login is averification of the wireless tablet 200 to the wireless server. Thisensures security access to software applications on the wireless server.Upon verification of the network login, a complete secure list ofsoftware applications is sent to the wireless client 200.

After a connection is established, the wireless client selects anapplication which then establishes a network registration. In a networkregistration, the wireless tablet 200 receives a user input. The userinput may be as simple as a character, or a location of a display beingtouched. Accordingly, the network registration also converts the userinput into predefined information, and then organizes this informationinto at least one data packet. Preferably, the user inputs are made inresponse to the display of a registration page. However, in any event,the data packet may be compressed and transmitted via a wirelessprotocol to a wireless server.

The wireless server then extracts the information from the data packetin order to check the information to make sure that the user has enteredan appropriate input. In other words, the wireless server verifies thatthe user input indicates that the user is an authorized user. Assumingthat the user is an authorized user, the wireless server updates thesystem to provide access to the person at the wireless client.

Next, the registration algorithm 300 proceeds to a receive video act320. In the receive video act 320 the wireless tablet 200 receives videovia a wireless transmission. The wireless transmission may be packetizedvideo, streamed video, or broadcast video. If the video received ispacketized, the wireless tablet 200 converts the packetized video intodisplayable video so that the registration algorithm 300 may next, in adisplay video act 330, displays the video information received in thereceive video act 320.

Thus, the display video act 330 decompresses the video packet receivedin the receive video act 320. The display act 330 also extracts displayinformation stored in the video packet which defines the color intensityof each pixel of a display. Next, the display act 330 determines whichpixels require a change in color or intensity and directs the display tochange those pixels. Accordingly, should a pixel not require a change,the color and intensity of that pixel is maintained. The video displayin the display video act 330 is preferably static until user input isreceived.

Accordingly, in a receive input act 340, the registration 300 receives auser input. The user input received in the receiver input act 340 isthen converted into information, the information is packetized, and thepacket may be compressed to prepare the information for wirelesstransport across the network. Next, in a transmit input act 350, thedata packet is transmitted across the wireless network. Thus, thewireless tablet 200 is definable as a device which takes user inputs andconverts these user inputs into wirelessly transmittable data packets,and is a device which receives video and audio and display that video orplays that audio so that it is user perceivable. The range of thepersonal wireless network may be extended through the use of a routingmeans such as a wireless router. FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of awireless router 400 (the router 400). The housing 405 of the router 400maintains a processor 420. As is the case with the wireless tablet 200,the processor 420 implemented in the router 400 is preferably a RISCprocessor such as an Arm 7 Thumb processor. The processor 420 controls atransceiver bank 410 through algorithms maintained in a memory 430.

The transceiver bank 410 maintains at least one transceiver capable ofsending and receiving audio and video streams, as well as data packets.Preferably, the transceiver bank 410 maintains a plurality oftransceivers and is capable of implementing a plurality of wirelessprotocols. Accordingly, the processor 420 implements control over theplurality of wireless protocols implemented by the transceiver bank 410.Wireless transmissions and receptions are achieved via an antenna 412,which is preferably an intell 1al antenna.

One important function of the router 400 is the amplification ofwireless transmissions. Accordingly, the router 400 provides at leastone amplifier 440. The amplifier 440 is powered preferably by an extell1al power source, which is connected to the router 400 through a powerplug 445. In addition, the power plug 445 may include transformersneeded to convert extell 1al alc power sources into whatever power,frequency, voltage, or amperage is preferred by the amplifier 440. Inpractice, the processor 420 controls the flow of power amplificationinto the transceiver bank 410 from the amplifier 440. To facilitate theplacement of software into the memory 430, to provide quick programmingof the processor 420, and to enable the router 400 to be quicklydiagnosed should a problem occur, an input/output port 450 is provided.

FIG. 5 illustrates the functionality of the router 400 as a routingalgorithm 500. First, in a receive act 510, the routing algorithm 500receives a wireless transmission. The wireless transmission may be avideo stream, an audio stream, or a data packet. Next, the routingalgorithm 500 proceeds to an amplify act 520. In the amplify act 520 therouting algorithm intensifies the signal received in the receive act 510by increasing its power. In other words, the power of the receive signalis amplified in the amplify act 520. Then, in a transmit act 530, therouting algorithm 500 transmits the amplified signal so that theamplified signal may be received across a wider area than the signalreceived by the receive act 510.

Additionally, the router 400 may transmit the amplified signal to eitheranother router 400, a wireless transmitter, or a wireless client. Therouter may also transmit the amplified signal to another device that isnot part of the personal wireless network, but one that has the samewireless protocol. The router may also change its wireless protocol toprovide for a more appropriate communication link and transmit theamplified signal if the destination device has a different wirelessprotocol than the received signal.

Of course, additional functionality may be provided by the routingalgorithm 500. For example, the routing algorithm 500 may providescreening or filtering capabilities so that signals not intended for aparticular router will not be amplified by that router. This providesprivacy and prevents the router from wasting power amplifying signalswhich do not require amplification.

The routing algorithm 500 may also provide for signal adequacy testing.Thus, if the routing algorithm 500 detects that a signal is adequatelystrong enough to reach a known destination, the routing algorithm 500will not amplify that signal. This saves power, and reduces thetransmission band as used within the router, enabling the router tocarry more traffic.

FIG. 6A illustrates a video display system 600 for use in a personalwireless network. In the personal wireless network a wireless tablet 110receives a video signal 610 from a video broadcaster 620. Within thevideo broadcaster 620, a plurality of video transceivers 630 receivevideo signals, such as television channels. Accordingly, each videotransceiver is capable of receiving an independent video channel andthus the video broadcaster 620 may support as many different broadcastsas the video broadcaster 620 has video transceivers 630. The channels(or signals) received by the video transceiver 630 are multiplexed by afirst multiplexer 640, enabling each channel to be broadcast over afirst antenna 642.

Similarly, the channels received by the video transceivers are picked upby a video source, such as a second antenna 662 (similarly, video may bereceived by a video jack 670 which may be connected to a cable (which isthen in communication with a cable television source), or satellitetelevision transmission, for example). The video transmissions receivedby the second antenna 662, or the video jack 670, are demultiplexedthrough a second multiplexer 660. The video jack 670 may also beconnected to the wireless server to provide access to wireless serverapplications as well as to the Internet.

A wireless protocol enabled controller 650 (Bluetooth, or 802.11, forexample) provides for channel selection, volume control, item selection,and other user interactions between the video broadcaster 620 and thewireless tablet 110. These interactions are typically data packetcommunications sent from the wireless tablet 110 to the videobroadcaster 620 through the wireless connection 615. Thus, the Bluetoothenabled controller 650 directs the second multiplexer 660 to placecertain channels through the video transceiver 630 and also directs thechannel characteristics prior to these channels being received by themultiplexer 640.

In addition, a user at the wireless tablet 110 may perform a number ofinteractions with the channels received at the wireless tablet 110. Forexample, the user at the tablet 110 may select a specific volume,brightness, or other visual display control. Furthermore, the user atthe wireless tablet 110 may even play Internet enabled games at thewireless tablet 110 which are broadcast by the video broadcaster 620.

FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment of a tablet interaction algorithm 680.The two semi-circular arrows of the tablet interaction algorithm 680illustrate the simultaneous interaction of a tablet act 685 with a CPUact 690. In the tablet act 685 data packets are sent across a wirelesslink 687 and received by a device capable of data processing. Likewise,in a CPU act 690, a audio and/or video signal is broadcast for receptionby a wireless client such as a wireless tablet across a wirelesscommunication channel 692.

Wireless transmissions are generated at a server location and broadcastthrough a personal wireless network from a wireless transceiving meanssuch as a wireless transmitter. FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of awireless transmitter 700. The wireless transmitter 700 is structurally(hardware-wise) similar to the wireless router 400, and may use ahousing 705 similar to the housing 405. However, in addition to aninput/output device utilized for diagnostic purposes (illustrated as aport 755), the wireless transmitter 700 includes an input/output portthat is dedicated for connection to a server, illustrated as I/O toserver block 750 (I/O 750). I/O 750 may be implemented as a cardconnection for insertion into a motherboard card slot. However, I/O 750is preferably implemented as a wire based port. For example, I/O 750could be implemented as a USB port, a parallel port, or a Split-Bridge.

Another difference between the wireless transmitter 700 and the router400 is that the wireless transmitter 700 has the ability to receive acompressed packet from the wireless server through the I/O 750. Thus,the processor 720 is capable of receiving a packet, and transmitting thepacket via a wireless protocol. Similarly, the processor 720 is capableof taking a packet received from the transceiver bank 710 and thensending the packet to the wireless server through the I/O 750, or to awireless router, or to a wireless client. Accordingly, the routingalgorithms needed to determine where the received packet's destinationpacket needs to be sent are maintained in a memory device 730.

Additionally, when the wireless transmitter 700 receives packets thatare not sent to the wireless server, the same criteria is used as thewireless router (this was stated in previous paragraphs explaining FIG.5). The wireless transmitter 700 is powered through a power plug 745.Preferably, the wireless transmitter employs a powerful amplifier 740.Accordingly, the amplifier 740 is enabled to amplify signals prior tothe signal's transmission from the transceiver bank 710 and antenna 712.One preferred method of enabling a common computing platform is toimplement a personal wireless network by providing, downloading, andstoring a personal wireless network enabling software block 800 on acommon computing platform, thus creating a wireless server. FIG. 8illustrates one embodiment of a personal wireless network softwareblock.

The personal wireless network enabling software block 800 includes anoperating system stack 810 which maintains the operating systems neededto implement the personal wireless network. For example, the operatingsystem stack 810 may maintain proprietary operating systems 812,background capable operating systems 814, network operation systems 816,or session management operating systems 818. The operating systems maybe available through a common operating system such as an enhancedWindows based operating system, or a proprietary operating system. Then,on top of the operating system stack 810 are placed network enabledapplications 820.

Preferably, the network enabled applications 820 are capable ofoperating in the background of the wireless server. So, a user mayaccess the wireless server and run a software program which is viewablevia a monitor or other display device while, at the same time, otherusers are accessing the wireless server remotely and could, in fact, berunning additional instances of the same program (recall that“background” operations enable the person directly accessing thewireless server to do so while being unaware that other persons areremotely accessing the wireless server). Examples of network enabledapplications include network enabled games, word processingapplications, database applications, scheduling applications,spreadsheet applications, Internet enabled applications, and wirelesssmart appliance applications.

The personal wireless network enabling software block 800 also includesa communications stack 830. The communications stack 830 includessoftware capable of implement wireless communication protocol. Forexample, the communications stack may provide a Home RF protocol 838, anIEEE 802.11 protocol 836, a Bluetooth protocol 834, or a proprietarycommunication protocol 832, for example. Of course, additional protocolsmay be provided.

A personal wireless network enabling software block 800 may also provideuseful software applications. For example, the personal wireless networkenabling software block 800 may provide a data enablement stack 840. Thedata enablement stack 840 may include voice recognition software 842, orhandwriting software 844. Furthermore, the personal wireless networkenabling software block 800 could also provide security software 850.Security software 850 could include software that enables a user toregister at a wireless client, software capable of identifying anddirecting packets to appropriate personal wireless networks operating inproximity to each other, and software capable of detecting and alertingthe personal wireless network of an intruder.

The personal wireless network enabling software block 800 may alsoinclude a compression/decompression block 855. This block isused forreceiving streamed data from any of the software blocks within thepersonal wireless network and convert the streamed data into compresseddata using a compression algorithm. When a compressed signal packet isreceived from the personal wireless network, a decompression algorithmis used. Examples of the types of compression/decompression algorithmsmay be RLE 856, JPEG 857, or LLE 858, for example. Of course, othertypes of compression/decompression algorithms may be used.

The operation of a network server may be better understood by examiningthe processing of a packet received by the wireless server. Accordingly,FIG. 8B provided the process diagrams of a wireless server algorithm860. First, in a reception act 865 the wireless server algorithmreceives a data packet having data. Then, in an association act 870, thewireless server algorithm 860 extracts data from the data packet andassociates the data with a software application. Preferably, thissoftware application is a software application executing in thebackground.

Accordingly, the data is utilized by the wireless server algorithm 860in a software interaction act 875 to update the appropriate softwareapplication executing on the wireless server. Typically, the data willcause the software application to perform a predetermined operation. Ofcourse, a number of variations of these steps are possible. For example,a data packet may be specifically converted into a data stream.Furthermore, the act of receiving may be accomplished through anexternal transmitter or an internal transmitter. Furthermore, the datapacket may require decompression before the data packet may be convertedinto data.

Typically, the software interaction act 875 will generate a change insoftware that causes a change in the video display produced by thesoftware. Accordingly, the wireless server algorithm 860 proceeds to agenerate video act 880 in which a video stream indicative of a visualdisplay associated with the software application is created. Then, thevideo stream will be organized into at least one video packet fortransmission onto the personal wireless network. Thus, a video packet istransferred directly from a wireless transmitter maintained in thewireless server, or an external wireless transmitter in a transmissionact 885.

It should be emphasized that the video stream may be packetized andcompressed by the wireless transmitter itself. Furthermore, it should beunderstood that more than one wireless protocol might be used at anygiven time. For example, the wireless server may communicate with onewireless client such as a wireless tablet though a wireless protocol,while the wireless server may communication with a second wirelessclient, such as a wireless smart appliance, through a Home RF protocol.Likewise, it should be understood that audio or video might be broadcastthrough standard UHF channels.

Thus, having examined the personal wireless network from a system level,as well as by examining some of the devices which may be used by apersonal wireless network, one may gain a better understanding of thepersonal wireless network by looking at the process of user registrationin greater detail from a system level perspective. Accordingly, FIG. 9is a block flow diagram of a personal wireless network processingalgorithm 900 (processing algorithm 900).

First, in a start act 905, a user turns on a wireless client. Thewireless client displays for the user a registration page which has beenpreloaded into the ROM of the wireless client. Afterwards, theprocessing algorithm 900 proceeds to a registration act 910 in which theuser will provide a registration page with the requested information(note that it is assumed that the user is an authorized user and thatthe information provided by the user is valid and correct informationneeded for registration). Next, the processing algorithm 900 proceeds toa transmission act 916. In the transmission act 916 the informationprovided by the user in the registration act 910 is converted intopacketized data which is broadcast via a predetermined wirelessprotocol.

In the event that the wireless client is located significantly remotelyfrom a wireless server, the processing algorithm 900 proceeds to arouting act 917 in which the packet from the registration act 910 isreceived by a wireless router, amplified, and then retransmitted as anamplified signal. Although not shown, the routing act 917 may berepeated numerous times by various wireless routers (as needed) so thatthe packet transmitted in the transmission act 916 may be received bythe wireless transceiver means of the wireless server in a reception act918. The transmission act 916, the routing act 917, and the receptionact 918, may be collectively referred to as a wireless communication act915.

Following the reception of the packet sent in the transmission act 916,the wireless server processes the packet by extracting data from thepacket, associates the data with an executing software program, and thenusing the software program to process the data. Accordingly, since thedata transmitted in the transmission act 916 was data regarding userverification, it will be assumed that the information processed by thesoftware application verifies that the user is an authorized user.Accordingly, the wireless server produces a video signal, such as aVideo packet, containing information regarding a welcome screen andtransmits the video across on a wireless network in a video transmissionact 925. Then, the video transmission is received by the wireless clienteither as a broadcast, or through a process similar to the wirelesscommunication act 915.

The wireless client next, in a video processing act 930, receives theinformation broadcasted in the video transmission act 925. In the videoprocessing act 930, the wireless client processes and displays the videoinformation received by the wireless server. The video received is thendisplayed and remains static at least until a user entry is received.However, it should be noted that the period in which the display isstatic may be extremely short, such as a 1,000th of a second (or less)in the case of a video movie broadcast (such as when a DVD is beingplayed).

The processing algorithm 900 proceeds to a user entry act 935. In theuser entry act 935 the wireless client receives a user entry such as thetouching of the display, a voice command, or another entry from a deviceattached to the wireless client. Then, the wireless client converts theuser entry into a transmittable packet and transmits the packet in adata transmit act 940. The packet is routed as previously discussed inthe wireless communication act 915, and once received by the wirelessserver is decompressed, associated with the appropriate executingsoftware program, and is processed in the background as a backgroundprocessing act 945. If the associated program is not yet executing, theserver is instructed to run the program (in other words, to begin theexecution of the program).

The processing algorithm 900 continues to a video update act 950. In thevideo update act 950 the display generated by the executing software isupdated to reflect any changes caused by the data received by thewireless server and processed in the background act 945. Accordingly,any changes detected in the video update act are converted into theappropriate video information needed to direct a display device at thewireless client to display the appropriate video output.

Thus, this video information is compressed, packetized and sent to thewireless client through a process similar to the wireless communicationact 915 in the video update act 950. Once the video information isreceived by the wireless client, the wireless client uses the videoinformation to update the display of the wireless client in a displayupdate act 955. Then, the processes of receiving user input(s), and theprocess of receiving video updates, continue as long as the wirelessclient is turned on. Of course, it should be noted that audioinformation may be continuously transmitted from the wireless server tothe wireless client.

Though the invention has been described with respect to a specificpreferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the presentapplication. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims beinterpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to includeall such variations and modifications.

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A wireless personal video network comprising: avideo display system comprising, a wireless transceiver for receivingvideo signals transmitted wirelessly in the personal video network, anda display for displaying the received video signals; and a videobroadcast system comprising, a video input for receiving at least oneexternal video signal for transmission in the wireless personal videonetwork, at least one video transceiver for receiving the at least oneexternal video signal from the video input, a wireless transmitter fortransmitting the at least one video signal in the wireless personalvideo network, and a wireless enabled controller for controllingtransmission of the at least one video signal according to a commandreceived wirelessly from the video display system.
 26. The network ofclaim 25 wherein the video input receives a plurality of multiplexedvideo signals and the video broadcast system further comprises: aplurality of transceivers; a demultiplexer for demultiplexing themultiplexed video signals received by the video input into separatevideo signals that are respectively provided to the video transceivers;and a multiplexer for multiplexing the separate video signals from thevideo transceivers prior to transmission in the wireless personal videonetwork.
 27. The network of claim 25 wherein the video broadcast systemfurther comprises means for compressing the at least one video signalprior to transmission in the personal video network; and the videodisplay system further comprises means for decompressing the at leastone compressed video signal.
 28. The network of claim 25 wherein thevideo input receives at least one broadcast television signal.
 29. Thenetwork of claim 25 wherein the video input receives at least one cabletelevision signal.
 30. The network of claim 25 wherein the video inputreceives at least one satellite television signal.
 31. The network ofclaim 25 wherein the video input receives at least one video signal viathe Internet.
 32. The network of claim 25 wherein the video input alsoreceives an audio signal for transmission in the personal video network.33. The network of claim 25 wherein the at least one video signal istransmitted by the transmitter using Bluetooth communication protocol.34. The network of claim 25 wherein the at least one video signal istransmitted by the transmitter using IEEE 802.11 communication protocol.35. A method of receiving and transmitting video signals in a wirelesspersonal video network, the method comprising: receiving at least oneexternal video signal at a video input within a video broadcast systemfor transmission in the wireless personal video network, receiving theat least one external video signal from the video input; wirelesslytransmitting the at least one video signal in the wireless personalvideo network; receiving the transmitted video signals at a wirelesstransceiver within a remote video display system within the personalvideo network; displaying the received video signals; and controllingtransmission of the at least one video signal according to a commandreceived wirelessly from the wireless transceiver.
 36. The method ofclaim 35 wherein the at least one external video signal comprises aplurality of multiplexed video signals, and the method furthercomprises: demultiplexing the multiplexed video signals received by thevideo input into separate video signals that are respectively providedto a plurality of video transceivers; multiplexing the separate videosignals from the video transceivers; and wirelessly transmitting themultiplexed video signals in the wireless personal video network. 37.The method of claim 35 further comprising: compressing the at least onevideo signal prior to transmission in the personal video network; anddecompressing the at least one compressed video signal.
 38. The methodof claim 35 wherein the at least one external video signal comprises atleast one broadcast television signal.
 39. The method of claim 35wherein the at least one external video signal comprises at least onecable television signal.
 40. The method of claim 35 wherein the at leastone external video signal comprises at least one satellite televisionsignal.
 41. The method of claim 35 wherein the at least one externalvideo signal comprises at least one video signal via the Internet. 42.The method of claim 35 further comprising: receiving an audio signal atthe video input for transmission in the personal video network.
 43. Themethod of claim 35 further comprising: transmitting the at least onevideo signal using Bluetooth communication protocol.
 44. The method ofclaim 35 further comprising: transmitting the at least one video signalusing IEEE 802.11 communication protocol.